ADVERTISEMENTThe Premier League season came to an end this weekend.
Manchester City were crowned champions for the 4th time in the club’s history and second time in three seasons.
Although a draw would have sufficed on the final day Manuel Pellegrini’s side sealed the title with victory against West Ham to end the campaign at the Ethiad Stadium on a celebratory high and with a stunning 102 goals for the season.
Coach Pellegrini made an immediate impact in his first season in England, let’s listen to the Chilean.
Pellegrini said: “We were the only team that were involved in the four competitions until the end. So maybe it was a strain, but I repeat the most important thing is the players believe in what we did.’‘
“The team never resigned to not to continue and we won the last five games and at the end of the season we will see has more points. Fortunately it was our team.”
Liverpool were on course to end their 24-year wait for a topflight title but a home defeat to Chelsea last month and the late collapse at Crystal Palace earlier this month left the path clear for City to take top honours. The Reds eventually finished second two points off the pace.
Chelsea ended the campaign a solid third place despite not being overly convincing. But for Jose Mourinho their trophyless season is only a passing phase.
Mourinho said: “I think the 3rd position is not a drama. It’s a position that we have to accept in this transitional period.’‘
Arsenal, who spent the most time at the summit of the table with 128 days, finished 4th, while Manchester United’s disastrous season ended in seventh place and with no European football for the first time in 25 years.
La Liga title down to the wire
The Spanish title will be decided on the final day next Saturday.
Atletico Madrid missed the chance to wrap things up early when they drew at home to Malaga.
Atletico’s final game is away against title rivals Barcelona with Diego Simeone’s men needing only a draw to celebrate their first title in 18 years.
Barcelona failed to capitalize on their rival’s penultimate match slip-up when they drew with lowly Elche.
After many off-pitch troubles this term Barca will now be desperate to end an otherwise lousy season on a high.
It will be their last chance to win any silverware this term.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid are mathematically out of the running. Real’s title hopes vanished with defeat in Vigo on Sunday, hopes of a treble-winning season disappearing with it. All focus at the club is now firmly on the Champions League final.
ADVERTISEMENTSo with one game to go in La Liga it’s going down to the wire for Barca and Atletico.
Arrivederci capitano
The San Siro thanked its long-standing captain.
40-year-old Javier Zanetti played his last home game after 19 years with Inter and finished with a fond and tearful farewell to his fans.
His last home match was against Lazio in the penultimate round of fixtures.
ADVERTISEMENTAlthough the much-loved and highly-respected Argentinian midfielder will bring the curtain down on his illustrious career next weekend, he will continue to play a prominent role at the club where he’s set take on the role of vice-president.